Feeding America Land O Lakes

Food symbolizes sustenance, community and life. It’s more than just a simple lunch or dinner—it matters how, where and with whom these nutrients are shared. And fighting hunger is more than filling tummies; it’s about building communities and empowering people. From what I have observed, the holistic healing of society begins with food.

Because of this, I am honored to participate in the fight against hunger through my role at Land O’Lakes, Inc. and our ongoing partnership with Feeding America. I am proud to work for a company that cares about making a difference and helping to feed human progress. Through my work, I’ve seen this purpose come to life so many times—but one project in particularly is close to my heart. It’s the Land O’Lakes Foundation’s First Run program, which donates truckloads of fresh product year round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger nationwide.

Often, I have the privilege of making that first call to the Feeding America member food bank receiving our donation. It usually sounds something like, “Hello? Yes, hi. I am calling from Land O’Lakes near St. Paul, Minnesota. My company would like to donate about 40, 000 pounds of freshly made, low-fat, whole-grain macaroni and cheese to your food bank.”

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As you can imagine, the reactions to these brief sentences–varying from screams of excitement to tears of gratitude–are the highlight of my job. In that moment, there is a connection between this stranger and myself, because we both know what 40, 000 pounds of food can do for people in a community.

It means full stomachs, happy taste-buds, dignity and friendship. It means that we are one step closer to ending hunger—but it doesn’t end there. The 40, 000 pounds of food may fill a few shelves, but we need the hands and hearts of millions of people in order to fill the aisles, and ultimately the tummies of all people. This month is Hunger Action Month, so I hope to see you moving.This month, the Land O’Lakes Foundation First Run program donated 40, 000 lbs. of macaroni and cheese to the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines. The product will be distributed to 285 partner agencies in 42 counties throughout the state, as well as an additional 13 counties through its redistribution organization, the Food Bank of Southern Iowa.

“The 5 lb. bags of Land O’Lakes macaroni and cheese are perfect for the clients we serve, ” said Carey Miller, executive director for the Food Bank of Iowa. “It can be paired with meat and produce clients receive from our partner agencies. And it’s great because no additional milk is needed.”

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As Miller guided three Land O’Lakes corporate board members through the distribution center, she explained the ways they get food to people in need.

“Our partner agencies and food bank programs have access to an online ordering system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ” said Miller. “They order food based on the needs of their clients. The food is then distributed by us or picked up by the agency or program.”

There are a number of companies like Land O’Lakes that donate product, but that’s not the only source of support for the Food Bank of Iowa, a member of the Feeding America food bank network.

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“We partner with a great farming family in Madrid, Iowa, ” said Miller. “They designate seven acres of their land for volunteers to plant, maintain and harvest produce. We also partner with the Newton Correctional Facility where inmates plant, grow and harvest food on 12 acres of land.”

“We receive food donations from a number of places, ” said Miller, nodding toward a stack of crates filled with various breads. “For instance, we will pick up bagged spinach that is set to expire the following day, bring it back to the distribution center and freeze it to maintain quality.”

To help clients get the most out of the produce they receive, Miller and her team turn to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

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“The horticulturists help develop great materials for our recipients, ” she said. “The handouts focus on the benefits, storage and uses of the produce that we distribute.”

More than 21 million children qualify for free or reduced-price meals throughout the National School Lunch Program and the National School Lunch Breakfast Program. Many of these children count on the meals they receive during the school day to get enough to eat, making weekends an especially vulnerable time.

Near the end of the tour, Miller stopped next to a crate of peanut butter to explain how the food bank and partner agencies reach these children—and their families—in need. As part of the Feeding America BackPack Program™, the Food Bank of Iowa and its partner agencies fill students’ backpacks with a variety of foodstuff to help them get through the weekend.

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Knowing that the students share the food with their families, the program aims to fill backpacks with enough food to make at least two meals and have snacks on hand including cereal, fruit cups, sunbutter or peanut butter, 100 percent fruit juice, pop-top meals or soup. The Food Bank of Iowa expects to serve more than 4, 800 low-income children through the BackPack Program™ in 2015.

It takes 17 full-time employees and countless volunteers to keep the food bank and its programs running, something Miller doesn’t take for granted.

“Our employees and volunteers help unload, sort and pack food, ” she said. “And our drivers cover 30, 000 square miles each year. We appreciate what everyone does for the food bank.”

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At the end of their tour, Miller and the board members watched as workers finished unloading a semi-truck of what seemed to be an endless supply of macaroni and cheese. But even though 40, 000 lbs. is a lot, the stockpile won’t last long.

“As soon as we get it into the system—likely today—agencies will start ordering it and distribution will begin tomorrow, ” she said. “This product is cream of the crop and it will go fast.”

The First Run program, part of the Land O’Lakes Foundation, provides fresh product made by our Land O’Lakes, Inc. plant employees for donation to food banks across the country.2022 First Run Program: Over a quarter million pounds of mac and cheese donated In 2022, First Run made a difference in seven different states from Wyoming to Florida.

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Nearly 34 million people face food insecurity across the U.S., according to Feeding America. That is more than the entire populations of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois combined. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is committed to doing what we can each year to combat hunger in the communities where our employees and members live and work—one way we approach this is through our First Run program.

First Run was launched in 2010 as a way to partner with Feeding America on hunger relief efforts nationwide. The program is committed to donating truckloads of dairy foods product year-round, primarily Land O’Lakes macaroni and cheese, to support food banks with freshly made meals for families in need. Since First Run began, over 6.7 million pounds of product have been donated, with 258, 000 pounds this year alone.

In 2022, First Run made a difference in seven different states from Wyoming to Florida. Through collaborative philanthropy, our macaroni and cheese donations were amplified by the generosity of Land O’Lakes members, employees and partners who gave their time and resources to the selected food banks. This year’s donations include: May—Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis, Tennessee

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A WinField United joint venture, GreenPoint Ag, attended the donation and made a financial contribution. WinField Regional Sales Director Sam Pace was present on behalf of Land O’Lakes.

Jeff Troike, president & CEO of Ceres Solutions Cooperative, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. Board of Director member, attended his second First Run donation in Indiana.

Land O’Lakes’ Foodservice Education team supported the Orlando community with a First Run during the School Nutrition Association’s annual conference. Local Class A member, Southeast Milk, joined by attending and making a financial contribution.​

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Land O’Lakes’ Kroger team, lead by Sales Director Vnay Bedi partnered with The Kroger Company on a volunteer project at the food bank to coincide with the First Run donation​

In partnership with Land O’Lakes, Class A member Mid Kansas Coop made a financial contribution to the food bank with Brad Stedman, MKC president and CEO in attendance.

WinField United broke ground on a new warehouse in November, and Land O’Lakes shared our appreciation for the incentives received through a First Run donation. Our project partners Cushman & Wakefield and The Opus Group joined Land O’Lakes in visiting the food bank.After SXSW Activation, Land O'Lakes Donates 40, 000 Pounds of Food The donation to Central Texas Food Bank is a result of an exhibit about sustainable food production at South by Southwest

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AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 25, 2018) — Land O’Lakes, Inc. donated 40, 000 pounds of food to the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin yesterday. This donation is a result of an exhibit about sustainable food production sponsored by Land O’Lakes in partnership with Feeding America at the South by Southwest

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